Zimbabwe joins war-torn states in Africa’s top 10 most corrupt regimes list — 2024 Corruption Index

African countries experiencing conflict and with highly restricted freedoms and weak democratic institutions, such as South Sudan, Somalia, Zimbabwe or Libya, occupy the bottom of Transparency International’s latest Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI).
This ranking places Zimbabwe among Africa’s top 10 most corrupt countries, joining war-torn states like Sudan, Somalia, and Libya. With a score of 21, the country is positioned 158th out of 180 globally, continuing its downward trend since 2023. The country’s performance is part of a broader African trend, with many nations suffering from entrenched corruption, fueled by weak democratic institutions and widespread nepotism. Zimbabwe, under former leader Robert Mugabe, experienced decades of systemic corruption, which continues to affect public trust and governance. Corruption is compounded by cronyism, where business contracts are awarded based on political ties rather than merit.
A major cause of corruption in Africa is the absence of strong democratic institutions and the dominance of authoritarian regimes, where leaders stay in power for decades, often rigging elections, suppressing opposition, and weakening democratic processes. For example, Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni has been in power since 1986, while Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea has ruled his country since 1979, making him the longest-serving head of state globally. Both leaders are accused of misappropriating their countries’ oil wealth, contributing to widespread poverty. The CPI measures corruption levels based on factors such as bribery, misuse of public office, and the diversion of public funds. The recent decline in Zimbabwe’s score highlights ongoing challenges, despite government promises to tackle corruption.